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Early childhood transition is the 1st big step for families when their children move from early intervention services to special education supports and programs. The Early Childhood Transition Leadership Project is focused on two levels of support. The first is at the system’s level, meaning that the project supports family leaders in being representatives for the families’ needs and experiences at local transition team tables. Each team brings together the local public schools, Head Starts, early intervention agencies and families to work together on creating a “smooth and effective” transition for children. Local teams have been created in response to the New Mexico Early Childhood Transition Initiative.
The second level of support the Project is focusing on is developing a Family Network in communities. These networks bring together families who have children with special needs. The goal of the network is to support and educate families in order to strengthen their self-advocacy skills. It is the belief of the project that families understand families; when we work together, the lives of our children in communities flourish.
For all families transitions are constant; for families who have children with special needs transitions can be more dramatic and challenging, requiring much more planning and consideration. It is the intention of the project that, through the efforts of our local community family leaders, early childhood transition will lead to successful educational and life experiences for children and their families for years to come.
Understanding that all families can take the lead on what their children need, the Early Childhood Transition Leadership Project has conducted trainings in New Mexico. Collaboration is a key element in leadership; with this in mind, the project has participated with Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS), the Family Leadership Action Network and Parents Reaching Out in offering trainings for families on leadership skill development. Education is another essential element. The focus of workshops has to be educational as well as responsive to families’ needs. The local family leaders identify the types of workshops that will benefit community families and collaborate with other agencies in meeting identified needs.
Again, team work and collaboration is a must! This project is funded through a New Mexico Developmental Disability Planning Council (DDPC) grant. Together with DDPC and other agencies throughout the state, the Early Childhood Transition Leadership Project hopes to expand the supports families need throughout New Mexico.
"Being a Family Leader for the Early Childhood Transition Project has given me the opportunity to support families through voicing their perspective at the transition team table. We on the team are working hard on making the transition from early intervention to preschool more successful for all children."